Austin Texas
Established in 1839 along the Colorado River and on the Texas Hill Country’s edge, Austin is a city that is steeped in history. It is the fastest growing city in the U.S. and the second most populated city. It is no wonder that the city of Austin in the state of Texas attracts both visitors and settlers alike and around 50 people move to Austin, the capital city of Texas each day. The city was chosen as the capital of the Republic of Texas, replacing the capital Houston and was named “Waterloo”. The name was later changed to Austin in honor of the secretary of state and the “Father of Texas”, Stephen F Austin.
In the later part of the 19th Century, Austin came to be known as the “City of the Violet Crown” due to the glow of light that enveloped the hills after the sunset. Today also, many local Austin businesses use the word “Violet Crown” as part of their name.
Austin is home to many rivers, lakes and waterways including Barton Springs, Colorado River, Lake Travis, Lady Bird Lake, McKinney Falls and Lake Walter E. Long. The main draw of this place is its fantastic outdoor areas, enthralling music and captivating culture.
Austin, being a rapidly growing metro in Texas, augers well for the local economy.
Austin Weather
Austin experiences temperatures that reach the mid-90s in the summer and drops to the 30s in winter. The city experiences mild weather during the rest of the year. The pleasant weather and strong economy together are reasons why people are choosing Austin as their new home.
Transport System
The city is well-connected by the public transport system, the Capital Metro and the 32-mile train line. People of Austin love driving and you can let your hair down and drive on the 130-miles of tolled state highways. The airport, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, operates around 300 flights and is a few miles from the downtown. The metro city area is also serviced by intercity buses and Amtrak trains. Within the city, you can see the people walking, biking and hiking too.
Business and Employment
There are many state agencies that have their headquarters in Austin which employ Austinites. In recent years, Austin has become a growing hub for IT and technology and has been nicknamed as the “Silicon Hills.” It is also one of the top areas for investment by venture capitalists. A number of Fortune 500 companies have their headquarters and offices in Austin such as Google, IBM, Amazon.com, Apple Inc., 3M, Oracle, Intel, Texas Instruments and Whole Foods Market to name a few.
The University of Texas, one of the biggest public universities in the United States, is another large source of employment.
Education
Austin has many public elementary, middle and higher schools and private schools too. Some of Austin’s high schools are recognized among the top schools in the “Best High School Rankings” by US News & World Reports. Austin also has 6 colleges and universities.
Things to do when in Austin
Austin is a very popular destination for music and much more. Austin has so many music venues and local bands that entertain the crowds. It is no wonder, Austin is popularly known as the “Live Music Capital of the World.” But then music is just a start to all things wonderful in Austin. It is home to beautiful outdoor spaces, world-class museums, wonderful shopping and ballet.
Austinites love outdoor life and the 250 odd parks of Austin allow people to indulge in their favorite pastimes like jogging, hiking, cycling, etc. The museums, outdoor festivals and other natural attractions offer plenty of activities for kids, youngster and adults alike. Austin also offers exciting food and eating options, from fine-dining restaurants to food trucks and street food.
Austin hosts a Formula One race at the Circuit of The Americas as well as the X Games and you will find Austinites all set to cheer the University of Texas Longhorns.
Music
Wherever you go in Austin, you are bound to encounter musicians and live music, be it at the airport, in the marketplace, at city council meetings, at clubs, bars, coffee shops, concert halls or at music festivals. That is why it is called the “Live Music Capitol of the World”. Austin hosts many music festivals apart from the famous Austin City Limits Music Festival and South by Southwest , like the Sound on Sound Festival, Urban Music Festival and the Pecan Street Festival. Austin has over 250 music venues.
Places to Stay
Wherever you stay in Austin, you can definitely get the feel of authentic Austin. There are many places to stay, right from enjoying the antiquity of a historic hotel to a hi-tech, modern tower, you can find eclectic accommodations everywhere in the city. You can stay at boutique hotels or choose from a range of ultra-luxurious resorts, golf retreats and spas.
Food and Drinks
When it comes to food in Austin, one is spoiled for choice. You can sample the Tex-Mex cuisine at Chuy’s, tacos paired with pitchers of margaritas to quench your thirst; you can check out the waterfront eateries or enjoy a barbecue at local joints like Franklin’s Bar B Q downtown.
Any trip to Austin is incomplete without an eating experience at the food trucks and food trailers. What began as a hot-dog stand in the 90s, has become a “way of life” today. You can find food being served all over the city in the back of concession trailers and remodeled Airstreams. From street eats and Tex-Mex to barbecue and cupcakes, mobile food vendors are everywhere.
From grapevines to hops, you can find it all here in Austin, Texas. You can enjoy the local brews and wines – no matter if you are a beer fanatic or a connoisseur of wine, you can find your choice of drink in Austin.
There is no shortage of things to see, do and experience when you visit Austin. The famous live music, unique culture and the ever-mushrooming restaurant scenario make Austin a talking point for all visitors. You need to experience all these things and more to really understand the “authentic” Austin experience.